New Laowa 10-18mm lens reviewed by Phillip Reeve

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You can get the new Laowa 10-18mm FE at BHphoto and at VenusOptics online store.

Phillip Reeve (Click here) tested the new Laowa 10-18mm 4.5-5.6 FE C-Dreamer lens:

The main selling points of this lens are the compact size and the widest focal length of 10mm. Laowa managed to produce a zoom lens that starts at 10mm – and at 10mm the resolution and vignetting figures look quite comparable to that of the Voigtlander 10mm prime – yet it is only slightly bigger and heavier (+120g) and you can zoom in all the way up to 18mm.
Laowa decided to do some things differently here compared to Sony with their latest UWA zooms: the emphasize is not on resolution but on giving you the widest possible lens in a small package, sunstars and usability with filters. Whether these main points appeal to you or not depends on your personal preferences.
If you are interested in a lens starting at 10mm but want something more flexible than a 10mm prime this lens might be for you.
If on the other hand you think you get a smaller and wider Sony FE 12-24mm f/4.0 G in a smaller package you will be disappointed, the 10-18mm won’t match it in the overlapping focal length range in terms of resolution and contrast.
The lack of exif data is quite a nuisance in a lens where electronic corrections (distortion and color cast) are necessary in many shots. I was using the lens mostly at fixed values of 10, 14 and 18mm to make post production a bit easier.
The biggest disadvantage for me is the flare resistance. With the sun in the frame I encountered ghosting and other artifacts quite regularly. Whether this bothers you depends a lot on what you shoot, but if this is something that bothers you I recommend to stick to the Voigtlander and Zeiss prime lenses.

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New Sony EU deals: A6000 with lens for 464 Euro and 70-300mm FE for 999 Euro

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There are new last minute deals running at  Amazon Germany, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES. Some special mention:

Sony A6000 with kit lens for 464 Euro at Amazon Germany.
Sony 70-300mm FE for 999 Euro at Amazon Germany.
Transcend cards are up to 30% off on Amazon Germany.
Bis zu 20% reduziert: Anker PowerCore Speed 20100mAh & 10000mAh at Amazon Germany.
Lots of accessory deals at Amazon France.
Gold Box on the Sandisk 64GB card at Amazon Italy.

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Sony Tidbits…

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EOS R vs A7III vs X-T3 vs Z7 – Video Autofocus Comparison

Nikon Z6 Image Quality & Dynamic Range Review: vs Z7, Canon EOS R, Sony a7 III (Tony Northrup).
Sony Memory Settings – Total Recall (Marc Galer).
10 Tips and Tricks for Photographing Holiday Lights and Candles (Explora).
Why you won’t succeed in photography (Mirrorlessrumors).
Yasuhara Madoka 180 Circular Fisheye review by Marc Alhadeff.
Loxia 25 Review at DearSusans.

Personal photos and tests from SAR Admin Andrea on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and 500px.

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Unusual deal: $1200 off on the Sony UMC-S3CA High-Sensitivity E-mount camera

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This camera uses the same A7sII sensor. And it’s now $1,200 off at BHphoto.

Up to $225 off on Zeiss Batis-Loxia-Touit E-mount lenses (full list here at BHphoto):
$300 off on the Zeiss Batis 135mm FE lens at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$180 off on the Zeiss Batis 85mm FE lens at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$195 off on the Zeiss Batis 25mm FE lens at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$225 off on the Zeiss Batis 18mm FE lens at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$195 off on the Zeiss Loxia 35mm lens at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$210 off on the Zeiss Loxia 85mm lens at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$225 off on the Zeiss Loxia 21mm lens at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$140 off on the Zeiss Loxia 50mm lens at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.

Still running: $1,000 rebates on Sony gear at BHphoto, Amazon, FocusCamera and Adorama.

Capture One 12 officially released. It adds a ton of new features and if you want to buy it (Click here) you get additional 10% off using our code “AMBSAR“.

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Metz announces the new Mecablitz M360 flash for Sony

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The German company Metz has announced the new Mecablitz M360. Press text:

Compact entry level flash

Not only compact mirrorless cameras are in vogue, camera accessories are also getting smaller and more practical. Metz presents an entry level flash that can easily be mounted on any camera and, with its self-explanatory operation, is a reliable companion for many photographers, who especially appreciate speed, for example when photographing events and outdoors. Metz is expanding the M-series of the successful mecablitz M400 as a first step with the mecablitz M360 high performance and low priced version.

With its 190 gram weight and compact size, the mecablitz M360 is not only lightweight, but is also easy to use, making it perfect for beginners. It hardly needs any space in the camera bag, it is instantly plugged into the camera – and you can use the flash straight away. Only two buttons are necessary to control it: The power button turns the flash on and off; the second button displays the various operating states of the M360 (flash ready, exposure OK, standby* etc.) and triggers a test flash. The camera determines the correct illumination of the subject via TTL, whereby the maximum guide number 36 at ISO 100 provides enough power for almost all lighting situations. Thanks to its compact format, the mecablitz M360 is ideal for mirrorless compact cameras, but also DSLR users will appreciate the self-explanatory operating concept.

A flexible companion

The mecablitz M360 offers many additional features that a photographer needs for various lighting situations: The power zoom (24 – 105 mm), the fully swivelling reflector with extendable reflector card and the integrated wide angle diffuser (14 mm) enable flashes on the ceiling, eye-reflexes in flash portraits and the illumination of groups of people. The plug-on diffuser supplied can be used as a soft focus by the photographer.

Useful features

The mecablitz M360 can synchronise to the first or second shutter curtain if the camera supports this feature. With this flash, Metz also offers the option of installing firmware updates via a micro USB socket, thus keeping the device up to date. The mecablitz M360 will be available as a version for the camera manufacturers Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus / Panasonic / Leica and Sony.

* Function depending on camera

Technical data

Features

  • Maximum height guide number 36 at ISO 100 (105 mm)
  • Vertical (-7 / + 90 °) and horizontal (270°) swivel reflector
  • Simple operating concept
  • Motorised zoom for 24 -105 mm illumination
  • Integrated wide angle diffuser for 14 mm illumination
  • Extendable reflector card
  • Flash readiness and exposure control indicator on the device and on the camera (depending on the camera)
  • Automatic device shutdown
  • Wake-up function through the camera
  • Metal base with quick lock (except Sony Multi Interface version)

Flash functions

  • TTL flash operation
  • Synchronisation on the 1st and 2nd shutter curtain (depending on the camera)

Dimensions and weight

  • 64 x 100 x 80 mm (width x height x depth)
  • 190 g

Power supply

  • 2 × AA alkaline manganese batteries
  • 2 × AA NiMH batteries

Scope of delivery

  • mecabounce diffusor
  • Protective bag
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This week SAR readers photos selection

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Alex Phan‎
Hooded Merganser.
A9 + 600IS III + 1.4xTC
#sonyalphagallery

1) You can submit one single picture per week only.
2) To submit your picture for the weekly readers roundup post you can choose one of the following three options:
– Instagram: Follow @sonyalphagallery and tag us on your picture to give us the permission to repost your image on the instagram gallery and on SAR (we will credit you)
– Facebook: Submit your picture on our group: facebook.com/groups/sonyalphacamera. Please add the hashtag “#sonyalphagallery ” to grant the permission for reposting on SAR. Without the hashtag we will not add your picture!
– Forum: Submit your picture on the SonyAlphaForum image section and add the hashtag “#sonyalphagallery ”
3) Like and comment the pictures from other readers here: instagram.com/sonyalphagallery, facebook.com/groups/sonyalphacamera and on SonyAlphaForum.
4) A selection of most liked pictures by the community and by me SAR admin will be posted weekly on SAR.

Note: When sending a pic feel free to also add a link to your site to promote yourself! And please do share one single picture per week only. Do not spam :)

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